Erythromycin

Pronounced e-rith-ro-MY-sin

Brand names: Ery-Tab, E.E.S.

Type: Macrolide antibiotic · All Antibiotics & Infection Medicines

What Erythromycin is used for

  • Certain respiratory and skin infections in penicillin-allergic patients
  • Speeding stomach emptying in some situations
  • Acne (applied to skin)

Common side effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Diarrhea

Important cautions

  • Interacts with many medicines and can affect heart rhythm in susceptible people
  • Stomach side effects are common and limit its use

How it comes

Tablets, liquid, ointments, injection (hospital). This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.

Toxicity lists: Erythromycin also appears on Medicines That Can Harm the Liver.

Related medicines — Antibiotics & Infection Medicines

Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.